THOUSANDS OF NUT CHOCOLATE BARS SET TO BE SAMPLED ACROSS FIVE CITIES IN JUNE
Do you consider yourself to be a bit ‘nutty’? Are you nuts for nut chocolate? A new survey* by chocolate brand Ritter Sport, has revealed that the people in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester are some of the nuttiest, fun and nut chocolate-loving in the UK.
Now they are going to be rewarded with an epic and totally nuts giveaway, unlike anything seen on the streets of these cities before!
This June, thousands of free Ritter Sport nut chocolate bars are being given away in five truly nutty sampling events in each of the cities**. But beware, it’s not just the general public who will be looking to get their paws on the free nut chocolate: a scurry of giant, nut-loving red squirrels has heard just how nut-packed Ritter Sport Nut Chocolate is and will try anything to squirrel the chocolate away for themselves … read on to find out more.
Speaking about the survey results and the upcoming ‘Go Nuts for Nuts’ activity Josephine Skinner, Senior Brand Manager, Ritter Sport, says: “We’re delighted to discover that people living in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, and Manchester are embracing their fun-loving, adventurous sides and what’s more, they love chocolate, including nut chocolate.
“So, what better way to celebrate and thank them than by sampling many thousands of bars of our moreish Ritter Sport nut chocolate in their cities during June! People are in for a real treat and, just like our chocolate, the activity is going to be totally nutty too – you won’t want to miss it!
“The Ritter Sport nut range includes Milk Whole Hazelnuts, Honey Salted Almonds, Dark Whole Hazelnuts, White Whole Hazelnuts and Cashew, packed full of the best nuts and covered in 100% certified sustainably sourced chocolate.”
Going nuts for nuts, funny habits… and chocolate body paint
Over half (56%) of the people surveyed in these cities who described themselves as “slightly nutty” said chocolate is one of their favourite things to eat and, when it comes to nut chocolate, far from being polarising, an impressive 37% stated that they regularly consume chocolate containing nuts!
People from these five cities also value having a good time. According to the study, 58% of respondents in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester “like to have fun” – this rises to 61% in London – while 40% consider themselves “fun-loving, with a crazy and adventurous spirit”.
Almost 3 in 5 (59%) who like to have fun said they regularly consume chocolate, and respondents who like to have fun are also more likely to enjoy trying new flavours of chocolate (53%). A further 33% overall said they would love to “run around a city in a giant chocolate treasure hunt” – wouldn’t that be fun!
Those who took part were also happy to divulge the unusual habits or behaviours that may have contributed to their being perceived as having “a crazy and adventurous spirit” and / or being “slightly nutty”.
Up to 44% admit to “not being able to stop laughing at something funny”, 35% say they have been heard “speaking to pets or imitating animal sounds during conversations”, while 31% have been known to “break into spontaneous dance or sing silly songs to entertain themselves or others”.
Nearly a quarter of all those who took part – 21% – admitted to having used chocolate as “edible body paint for a playful and indulgent experience”, while only slightly fewer people – 19% – said they’d like to “bathe in a bath full of chocolate”. However, people in Manchester (23%), Edinburgh (21%) and London (20%) are more likely than those in the other three cities to fancy a bath full of chocolate.
Overall, the research suggests that the residents of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester are truly some of the nuttiest in the UK. They are fun-loving, adventurous, and enjoy trying new experiences and flavours, with a love of great-tasting nut chocolate made with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Dates revealed – but there’s a plot afoot….
The news of the thousands of free bars of nut chocolate being given away has caught the attention of the great British red squirrels, which now plotting to get their paws on the chocolate before the public does.
“Rumour has it that the squirrels are planning to congregate in these cities and track down our nut chocolate bars,” concludes Ms Skinner.
“It remains to be seen whether they will get their paws on them, but one thing is sure: the competition for these nutty treats is set to be fierce.”
Ritter Sport has assured the public that they will take all necessary precautions to protect their chocolate from the squirrels and ensure that everyone gets a chance to sample their delicious nut chocolate bars. So, nutty city residents, get ready for a fun and adventurous June filled with chocolate and a squirrel chase like no other!
ICE CREAM lovers attending the Royal Highland Show can get their hands on samples of some weird and wonderful ice cream flavours including Pink Panther; Kaffir Honey & Cereal; and Dragon fruit and Watermelon sorbet.
Following an intense development process working with consultant chefs, Mackie’s of Scotland is bringing 77 giant tubs filled with 26 new and exciting flavours to the Edinburgh event on 22 June to 25 June, range from fruity mash-ups to reimaginings of popular sweet treats.
The Scottish ice cream firm hopes to gauge public response – and will put the most popular flavours into its 19.2 parlour in Aberdeen. The feedback may even steer its next flavour launch to hit supermarket freezer aisles.
Mackie’s, which has a stand within the Scotland’s larder tent, hopes visitors will be adventurous with their scoop choices, with the weather set to remain warm and mostly sunny.
Angus Hayhow, Head of Marketing at Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “We have been attending the Royal Highland Show for a decades now, so it’s great to be back once again.
“The team are constantly working on ways to diversify our products and bring innovation, and what better place to showcase them out than at Scotland’s biggest annual agricultural show. The visitors are always an enthusiastic audience at our stall!
“This year’s flavours are made to cater to a variety of tastes with some more traditional mango, strawberry and chocolate-based flavours to some more unusual creations, with a host of dairy and gluten free options as well.”
“We hope that this year’s flavours follow in the footsteps of our other playful ice cream launches and create a buzz to match the atmosphere of the weekend.”
Mackie’s, which is a family run business, has been producing ice cream since 1986, all of which is carefully crafted using milk and dairy from its Aberdeenshire farm.
The list of flavours available at the show include; Dragonfruit & Watermelon Sorbet, Kefir, Honey & Cereals, Quark Cherry Cheesecake, Orange & Mascarpone, Jaffa Cake, Blackcurrant & Liquorice, Lotus Biscoff, chocolate rum truffle, After Eight and Mackie’s twist.
The Royal Highland Show sees over 1000 yearly trade exhibitors to the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, displaying the best of farming, livestock, machinery and technical innovation across Scotland.
Rizza’s of Huntly is proud to announce its victory in the Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition for the second year in a row, earning them the opportunity to showcase their latest creation, Scottish Tablet Ice Cream, in Scotmid stores across Edinburgh.
As one of the five Scottish businesses chosen to win the Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition, Rizza’s exemplifies Scotmid’s commitment to supporting local producers and promoting Scottish sourcing. Rizza’s prides itself on using Scottish ingredients whenever possible, bolstering the Scottish supply chain. The tablet used in their ice cream is sourced from Aldomak, a Glasgow-based supplier and fellow Scotmid partner.
Aldomak, a family business with 80 years of expertise, crafts their ‘Totally Tempting Tablet’ in small batches using traditional family recipes dating back to the 1900s. The collaboration between Rizza’s and Aldomak share a dedication to quality and authenticity.
Donald Morrison, Director at Rizza’s, said:“Winning last year’s competition allowed us to sell our ice cream throughout Scotland reaching new customers who hadn’t heard of us before – we even had some get in touch afterwards asking when we would be in store again!
“We are obviously delighted that we have secured a second listing, this time for our Scottish Tablet Ice Cream. We look forward to hearing what Scotmid customers think of it!”
Jessica van Tromp, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid, praised the winners, saying: “Our competition celebrates local Scottish producers, and we are always impressed by the quality of products available in our country.
“Rizza’s Scottish Tablet Ice Cream is an exceptional product that we think will excite customers across the country. We can’t wait to see it in Scotmid stores!”
The other Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition winners from this year are:
We hae meat: Chippy-style battered sausage and battered black pudding
The Royal Highland Show is gearing up for the 2023 event taking place this week from Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th June at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston.
The country’s largest agricultural event returns for a four-day celebration of the very best in food, farming and rural life. Visitors can expect to get nose-to-nose with prize animals, taste an astounding array of artisan food & drink and experience Scotland’s rural life at its most vibrant.
What’s new this year
The Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships is an exciting addition to the show schedule for this year. Competitors from 30 countries from around the world including New Zealand, South Africa and Chile will battle it out on the stage to claim the championship – this thrilling display of skill is a must-watch on the Saturday and Sunday of the Show.
The Royal Highland Show will also see the culmination of the popular ‘Flock to the Show’ campaign, which saw 38 hand-painted fibreglass sheep travel around Scotland over the last couple of months.
Come and find our flock at the Show, starting at the Macklin Motors stand in the Lifestyle Area, and travel around the Showground to see if you can find all the Flock and the clues attached to them. Enter the competition once you know the winning phrase and you could be in with a chance of winning a year’s supply of Taylor’s Crisps.
The colourful Flock will be auctioned off in September this year to raise funds for the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland’s (RHASS) Bicentennial Fund. The bidding process will be launched at this year’s Royal Highland Show, so make sure if you want to purchase one of the Flock you keep a look out for more information.
Register your interest in an individual flock member here:
The new Agri Innovation Arena, located within the Agricultural Zone, will showcase some of the newest and most innovative products and machinery close up, with live demos and industry talks from leaders across all sectors of the agricultural industry.
We have brand-new poles for this year’s Pole Climbing Championships. These have been donated in kind by Kirkennan Estate, Palnackie which is managed by Scottish Woodlands. In May this year, these 90ft poles were transported from Dumfries & Galloway to our Forestry Arena by Cadzow Heavy Haulage Ltd. Make sure you check out our new poles in action at this year’s Show.
Fantastic food & drink
The Royal Highland Show is a haven for food lovers – from the tasty delights of Scotland’s Larder food area to the huge range of takeaway options throughout the showground, visitors are spoiled for choice.
Scotland’s Larder will be brimming with delicious food and drinks. Some are brand new to the market in Scotland, while others, like Glenkinchie, are global brands. Take the chance to meet the producers and hear first-hand from them why they love their products as much as we do. Don’t forget to check out The Bothy situated in the centre of Scotland’s Larder, with all produce supplied by Mimi’s Bakehouse.
The Show’s Food Charter ensures that only locally produced and ethically sourced food is served at the Show – from delicious venison burgers and tasty fish and chips to a bowl of Scottish strawberries bursting with flavour.
The Food for Thought theatre also offers an interesting schedule of events to attend, including chef demonstrations from names including ‘The Kilted Chef’ Craig Wilson, MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin, award-winning development chef Paul Terris, and head chef of The Crown Hotel in Peebles, Kirsty Elliot. Celebrating how Scottish food & drink has been enjoyed over the last 200 years is a key theme this year, alongside how science has helped develop and progress this industry.
If learning speciality techniques is more your thing, then don’t miss out on Innis & Gunn’s Masterclass with Master Brewer & Founder, Dougal Sharp, and masterclasses in all things meat and butchery from the experts at Quality Meat Scotland.
Innis & Gunn remains the Show’s official brewery partner and principal beer supplier and official sponsor of the Royal Highland Hoolie. This year you can hear from some of the Innis & Gunn team themselves in their beer and brewing masterclass in the Food for Thought Theatre.
This year the Royal Highland Show has launched its own special ‘Golden Shears’ lager with Caledonian Brewing. This will be available in bars across the Showground.
Lovely livestock and competitions
Of course, the stars of the Show are the animals, and there will be over 5,000 of the finest animals competing over the four days. Sheep, cattle, goats, horses – there’s so much to see!
From the adorable Shetland Pony to the majestic Clydesdale, there is so much to delight equine lovers. The showjumping Grand Prix is always a spectacle, as are the exciting Pony Club Games, as well as the incredible sight of the harness, grooming & decoration classes.
The Show offers a unique chance to see top-quality livestock up close, including the iconic Highland Cattle and ‘the world’s cutest sheep’, the Valais Blacknose. Over 5,000 animals will be competing – including 1,044 cattle, 2,089 sheep, 2,087 horses & ponies, and 140 goats.
This year at the Royal Highland Show, 57 Horse of the Year Qualifiers will take place, offering a variety of opportunities to qualify for the prestigious event held in Birmingham.
Alongside the livestock and equine classes, there are numerous other competitions to witness. New for this year, the Scottish Dairy Championships display will be situated in the Food for Thought Theatre.
Step inside the Handcraft Marquee and witness some of Scotland’s finest handcrafts with this year’s competition theme being ‘Rainbow’. The Honey Marquee, located in the Countryside Area is not to be missed, as well as hosting a range of honey and bee related competitions.
Entertainment for the whole family
There is truly something for everyone at the Royal Highland Show. Away from the animal stalls and food tent, there’s plenty to catch your attention – from the thrilling heights of the Pole Climbing Championships, Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations, Axe Throwing and fingernail-biting mountain bike skills in the Forestry Arena.
To the more relaxed Countryside Area, where kids can try out circus skills, take Annie the Alpaca for a walk, get their face painted, learn some traditional woodcraft and wildlife tracking skills and let off steam on the play equipment.
The Agri Innovation Arena is a new addition for 2023 and is designed as a platform for showcasing the innovative machinery and technology that is shaping the future of agriculture. Visitors will see the very latest tech on display and in action – a must for machinery enthusiasts!
Meanwhile, qualifiers for Britain’s Fittest Farmer competition will be taking place on the Sunday of the Show in the Agri Innovation Arena. Launched by Farmers Weekly in 2018, it is a fun way of sparking a vital discussion about the physical and mental health of the nation’s farmers.
Prepare for off-road fun with the Land Rover Experience Scotland, with an adventurous driving experience at the Show. Strap in and be ready for a bumpy ride as expert drivers demonstrate to you just what these fantastic vehicles are capable of.
One of the many hubs for kids at the Show is the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Discovery Centre, where kids can learn all about the production of food, explore the life of the soil, plant some seeds, bake some scones and even milk Mable, the fibreglass cow all in an interactive and fun environment.
If you can’t visit the Show this year, then luckily the Show can still come to you through the RHS TV, available to watch on the Royal Highland Show website all four days of the Show – with a special Golden Shears channel on Saturday and Sunday. With cameras streaming videos live from the showground, you can tune in wherever you are in the world to join in the action and experience a taste of the Show.
Visitors are also encouraged to make use of the Royal Highland Show App to make the most of their day out – through it, you can view the Show programme, competition schedules and access a handy interactive map of the showground. New for this year, you can search for your favourite trade stand using the search bar in the app, explore the entire Showground at the click of a button, and don’t forget to check out RHS merchandise in the online store as well.
Music & fashion
The Royal Highland Hoolie, hosted in partnership with Farmer’s Bash, is an exciting addition to evening entertainment this year.
Taking place on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the Show, it will showcase some of Scotland and Ireland’s best homegrown music talent.
Skippinish, Derek Ryan, Skerryvore and Lisa McHugh feature in the line-up for what is shaping up to be a fantastic couple of nights. Tickets to the Royal Highland Hoolie are still available and can be purchased on the day or in addition to your Show ticket.
Tickets for the Royal Highland Hoolie can only be purchased by those already attending the Royal Highland Show and have purchased a ticket for Friday 23 or Saturday 24th June. The Hoolie is only for those aged 12 and over, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult over 21.
Fashion lovers are in for a treat with a fashion show by British Wool taking place this year. It will showcase the best of British wool across a wide range of brands including Harris Tweed and Lochcarron of Scotland. There will also be exclusive discounts at the Show across a range of British wool brands.
Across the four days of the Show, we will have a fantastic line-up of traditional ceilidh bands, pipe bands and choirs, including Ian Muir Ceilidh Band who is a frequent visitor to RHS and guest on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor as well as Pipe Bands from West Lothian, Perth & Kinross and South Queensferry and the wonderful Farmers Choir. Head over to the West Stage where you can hear all of this and more from some of Scotland’s best jazz, folk-rock and bagpipes.
Getting there
A comprehensive travel plan is in place to ensure visitors can get to and from the Royal Highland Show as efficiently as possible.
Hopping on public transport remains the easiest and most sustainable option for getting to the Showground. You can travel by Edinburgh Trams all the way from Leith, through the City Centre to Ingliston Park and Ride where a shuttle bus will take you straight to the Showground.
Travelling by bus, Lothian Buses will have the 97 and 98 services running from Central Edinburgh direct to the Showground. It is best to book your ticket in advance, services for the bus and tram start at 6am.
If visitors do want to take the car, booking your parking tickets in advance is required – there will be no parking tickets available on the day.
The Royal Highland Show is the flagship fundraising event for organisers the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS).
RHASS Head of Show, David Tennant, commented: “More than just a fantastic day out, the Royal Highland Show offers an invaluable insight into the story of Scotland’s food, farming and rural life.
“There is truly something for everyone, whether you are interested in animals, machinery, food, or music – and you’re always sure to discover something that you’ve never seen before.
“With Friday and Saturday tickets selling out last year and the very last few remaining for this year’s event, we’d recommend purchasing soon if you haven’t already to avoid last-minute disappointment!
Sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 22-25 June 2023.
Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online, with no tickets available to buy on the gate. Tickets are limited in number and it is advised to purchase early – especially with the new addition of the Royal Highland Hoolie music event on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th this year.
Friday and Saturday tickets for the Royal Highland Show have now sold out following huge demand for the event taking place later this week at Ingliston (22-25 June).
Some lovely events happening at Edinburgh’s award-winning restaurant Divino this month, designed to soak in the summer sun, all in a space that will make guests feel as if they’ve left Scotland behind for an evening on the Italian coast.
Divino Summer Garden Party
25th June, 5pm, £25
Our new terraza is the perfect spot to come enjoy the sunshine over some wine and food, and we’re showcasing this new space with a summer garden party!
Manager James and sommelier Davide will explore the best Italian wines to enjoy whilst soaking up the sunshine, guiding you through the grapes, regions and styles.
A Divino Spritz to welcome you and start the party, followed by some crisp whites, juicy rosés, and elegant sparkling wines. 5 wines to taste, with some matching summer nibbles.
A celebration of Campania: Regional Menu Night
29th June – all evening; 3 courses for £39, matched wines additional £26
With its 3000+ years history, over 10 UNESCO Sites, an outstanding Coast line figuring towns like Amalfi and Sorrento and one of the World’s most amazing volcano, il Vesuvio, Campania has a lot to show off.
Our Head Chef Andrea will guide you through the “500 Domes” that makes Naples one of the most exciting cities to visit, bringing authentic and original flavours that will make you feel like you’re basking on the beaches of Capri.
– The Big Daddy Burger costs just £5 for More Card holders –
– Available for a limited time only from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th –
Meat your heart out! Morrisons has announced the launch of its latest meaty feast for Father’s Week – The Big Daddy Burger.
The Big Daddy Burger will be available in Morrisons Cafés in the week leading up to Dads’ special day and costs £7.99 or just £5 for More Card customers – from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th June.
As well as 100% British beef, the two Big Daddy Burger patties are layered with a double serving of cheese and bacon, a hash brown, burger sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onion rings. The burger is served with a side of chips and portion of coleslaw making it the perfect way to treat the father figures in your life .
The tasty treat is sure to make Dads across the UK feel full of love (and food) on their big day and those looking for a vegetarian option fear not as Morrisons has created The Big Daddy Veggie Burger too.
Served with chips and coleslaw, The Big Daddy Veggie Burger consists of three meat free patties, double cheese, a hashbrown, burger sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and onion rings for £7.99 or £5 for More Card Customers.
To make the celebration even better value, families can enjoy the Kids Eat Free offer including all-time favourites like Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips, when purchasing The Big Daddy Burger or any meal costing £4.49 and over.
Chris Strong, Morrisons Café Buying Manager, says: “We’re working hard to serve our customers great-value, tasty meals whether it’s a midweek lunch or a special occasion such as Father’s Day.
“We’re confident that The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger will be a firm favourite with customers so we’re adding them to the menu for the whole week and More Card customers can grab it for just £5 while kids can eat for free when an adult meal is purchased.”
Both burgers are available to order for home delivery, through JustEat and Deliveroo* and are subject to availability.
For a limited time only, The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger is available in all Morrisons cafés nationwide.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street is set to serve up a new culinary sensation for Scotland with STIR – a ground-breaking cocktail and cuisine concept in partnership with two Michelin-starred team Chef James Close and his wife, Head of Pastry, Maria Close, owners of the renowned global experience restaurant, Raby Hunt.
James and Maria’s unique menu of stunningly innovative small-bite plates are served alongside meticulously curated cocktails from Johnnie Walker Princes Street Head Bartender, Miran Chauhan, in a collaboration that aims to completely redefine the concept of whisky and food pairing.
Each cocktail offers a unique story with a focus on flavour, that will be shared with the guests during their experience.
From a Hedgerow Aquavit, created from foraging for berries nearby the Glenkinchie distillery, to a Cliff Edge Vermouth, using botanicals from the Four Corners of Scotland distilleries, Miran has embraced new techniques to capture each guest’s attention by bringing the whiskies into a new light.
Known for their new age approach to fine dining and storytelling through micro dishes, Chefs James and Maria Close have created six small bites, to match the cocktails, with layers of luminous flavour and textures to delight.
Guests can expect a culinary showcase of unexplored food combinations, from rich, umami intensity within the Aguachile Oyster bite, to soft, sweet indulgence within the Green Apple.
STIR features three flights:
The Four Corners Cocktail Flight takes guests on a beautiful journey exploring the Four Corners of Scotland distilleries, Glenkinchie (Lowlands), Cardhu (Speyside), Clynelish (Highlands) and Caol Ila (Islands), with each one integral to blending Johnnie Walker whisky. The combination is a complete experience carefully curated to highlight the landscape of the distillery, with locally grown and foraged ingredients from the naturally occurring flora and fauna.
The Seasonal Cocktail Flight allows guests to take a short trip, experiencing a rotation of exclusive whiskies and seasonal ingredients, selected by the Johnnie Walker Princes Street team. The Spring Season highlights the unique Johnnie Walker Princes Street Spring blend.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cocktail Flight is an opportunity to savour this iconic whisky in an unexpected way. The cocktail is paired with the most exquisite small bite, a luxurious moment of indulgence for Johnnie Walker Blue Label connoisseurs.
Miran Chauhan, Head Bartender at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: ‘We see STIR as the portal to a new world of whisky and food combinations, in the heart of Edinburgh at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
“James and I have a shared obsession for flavours and techniques and together we’ve created an enticing and highly original taste experience for everyone to enjoy.”
James Close, two Michelin-starred-Chef of Raby Hunt Restaurant, said: “We approached this challenge with the same energy and enthusiasm as we always do, creating a set of signature dishes that derive from a single ingredient, inspired by a global adventure.
“And then just like Miran does with his cocktails, we bring layers and textures together to tell a unique story through taste.”
Back in Edinburgh for the collaboration, James is returning to the capital after living in Scotland as a young man, when he worked in the menswear department of House of Fraser, in the very building that is now Johnnie Walker Princes Street Edinburgh.
Reservations for STIR are available now and can be made online at johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com from 17:30PM, Wednesday – Saturday.
Multi-award winning, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, is the centrepiece of Diageo’s £185million pound investment in Scotch whisky tourism in Scotland – the largest single investment programme of its kind ever seen in Scotch whisky tourism.
Offering more than 800 flavour combinations, unique immersive tours and breath-taking views of the Edinburgh skyline, one person could visit Johnnie Walker Princes Street every day for more than two years still and not have the same experience twice.
Committed to delivering new experiences for guests, every season STIR will evolve the menu to suit the season, with a twist on the Seasonal Cocktail Flight, as the cocktail and small bite influenced by the limited-edition Johnnie Walker Princes Street blend of whisky, changes with the time of year.
Jurica Gojevic, Food and Beverage Manager at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, says: “What makes James’ success so remarkable is that he is completely self-taught and has a curiosity for international ingredients.
“I knew his innovative approach would perfectly match Miran’s unorthodox methods to mixology and give us an opportunity to truly push the boundaries of flavour and fun with a one-of-a-kind menu.
“Through STIR we’re creating something totally unexpected and delivering an unforgettable experience for our guests at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Check your Cheese
Here in the UK, the 4th of June is National Cheese Day, a day dedicated to celebrating cheese. Cheese can form part of a healthy, balance diet as it is rich in protein and calcium which are both important nutrients to get from our diet. However, cheese is also a source of saturated fat and can be high in salt.
If we consume too much it can contribute to weight gain and poor cholesterol levels which can contribute to heart diseases. In this week’s healthy tip we look at the saturated fat content of cheeses, and suggest heart healthier alternatives for you to try.
How much cheese?
Including some cheese in your diet has health benefits, but it’s worth being mindful about the amount we consume. A 30g portion of cheese provides around 7% of your daily calories.
The trouble is we can very easily eat much more than this in one sitting. It’s a good idea to weigh your portions to make sure you don’t consume too much, particularly if you are consuming full fat varieties or are trying to lose weight. Try not to consume more than three 30g portions each day.
Low fat & fat free cheeses
Choosing low fat and fat free cheese options is a great way to reduce our saturated fat consumption whilst still enjoying the flavour and benefiting from the protein and calcium cheese has to offer.
Opt for fat free cottage cheese and reduced fat soft cheeses and hard cheeses like cheddar. Quark is a great option as its high in protein and much lower in fat than other soft cheeses.
Watch out for the salt
Some cheeses such as halloumi and feta can be very high in salt. It’s fine to consume these in moderation but try to find lower salt versions if possible, some supermarkets sell them.
Try to limit your consumption of these saltier cheeses to maybe one or two times a week.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at:
An Edinburgh-based independent craft brewery, which began as a home-brewing project in its co-founder’s spare bedroom, is now shipping internationally after receiving support and signposting to funding from Business Gateway.
Vault City was launched to modernise traditional brewing styles with its own take on fruited sours beers.
The beers, which are more aligned to cocktails and fruit ciders than IPAs or pale ales, are loaded with real fruit ingredients to develop flavours ranging from Raspberry Rocky Road and Strawberry Sundae to Cloudy Lemonade and Blackcurrant Choc Chip Waffle.
On a mission to convert non-beer and traditional beer drinkers, the brewery introduces new flavours every two weeks.
Co-founder Steven Smith-Hay, who describes himself as an “obsessed homebrewer”, had experimented with different sour and fruit beers while working in IT, and, with encouragement from his friends and family, took the plunge to set up Vault City in 2018.
Having never run a business before, he approached Business Gateway in search of expert guidance to develop the skills necessary for turning his vision for modern craft beer into a reality.
Steven’s local business adviser helped him to establish a business plan and identify routes for growth, as well as providing practical advice on how to manage cashflow.
Through Business Gateway, Steven learned about the requirements needed to set up an alcohol business online and received specialist support to develop a website, which established Vault City’s digital presence, increasing brand awareness and generating sales as a result.
Business Gateway was also instrumental in signposting Vault City to £100,000 of grant funding from Scottish Enterprise, which went towards the purchase of a decanter centrifuge.
This new piece of equipment helped the business increase its yield and decrease its waste by 30%, in turn reducing its environmental impact. Within five years of launching, Vault City has landed deals with the country’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
More recently, following advice from Business Gateway the business, which has grown to a team of almost 30, now exports to over 20 countries globally, including Singapore, Sweden and Thailand. Vault City is continuing to focus on exporting in 2023, with plans to break into the Chinese market.
Steven Smith-Hay, Co-founder, Vault City Brewing, said: “I spotted an opportunity to carve a niche in the craft beer industry, but I needed guidance to make it happen.
“Having one-to-one support from Business Gateway has been excellent. My adviser was a safe pair of hands throughout the process and really helped me to unpack all the obstacles that come with starting your own business.
“I’m really proud to say that four in every five sour beers sold in the UK comes from Vault City and can’t speak highly enough about the ongoing support I’ve received from Business Gateway since launching.”
Lindsey Sibbald, Business Gateway adviser, said:“Over the years, we have been able to support Vault City with a range of Business Gateway’s services.
“It has been fantastic to watch the business’ stratospheric growth since launching, which is testament to Steven and the team’s dedication. I look forward to watching them continue to grow and to find out what flavour is next on the cards.”
To find out how Business Gateway can help your business, visit:
Lidl has officially been named the cheapest supermarket in the UK, beating all major retailers, and undercutting Aldi, in latest price comparison survey
The analysis, conducted by The Grocer, found a basket of everyday items at Lidl cost just £50.27, making it cheaper than competitors even with their discount schemes applied
Lidl’s everyday grocery items clocked in more than 10% cheaper than Tesco, and a whopping £19.91 cheaper than the most expensive retailer, Waitrose
Lidl has once again been named cheapest supermarket in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’, beating all major supermarkets, including Aldi.
The price index, which compares the price of 33 everyday grocery items across the UK’s seven major supermarkets, found Lidl to be £19.91 cheaper than Waitrose, the most expensive retailer. This win comes as Lidl’s fourth accolade, out of five surveys since the Grocer 33’s inception.
The survey also found Lidl came out cheapest even after other supermarkets’ discount schemes were applied. Overall, the discounter was found to be ten per cent (£6.17) cheaper than Tesco – and still £5.13 after Clubcard discounts were applied. Similarly, the same products at Sainsburys cost £6.80 more, with no benefit from the supermarket’s Nectar Prices.
The accolade also comes despite traditional supermarkets recently announcing an array of price drops, demonstrating that the discounter still offers better value.
The Grocer compares prices of items on shopping lists across the nation as part of the monthly analysis – from fresh produce, such as milk and grapes, to deodorant, and branded items including Hovis Bread and Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.
Lidl offered the cheapest price on 26 products – and exclusively the lowest price for five products across a range of categories, including:
Baby corn at £2.79 (76p cheaper than the most expensive and 4p cheaper than the next cheapest)
Kellogg’s Corn Flakes at £2.05 (25p cheaper than the most expensive and 20p cheaper than the next cheapest)
Domestos bleach at £1.39 (21p cheaper than the most expensive and 10p cheaper than the next cheapest retailer)
Prawns at £1.99 (£1.76 cheaper than the most expensive and 20p cheaper than the next cheapest)
Custard creams at 54p (26p cheaper than the most expensive and 1p cheaper than the next cheapest)
It’s not just the Super Grocer 33 basket proving this – for the past fourteen weeks Lidl has also been cheapest in a weekly price comparison conducted by the Manchester Evening News on essential groceries.
Ryan McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer at Lidl GB, said:“Every week, independent analysis shows we are consistently the UK’s cheapest supermarket. As a result, we are seeing more customers coming through our doors and switching their weekly shop to Lidl from the traditional supermarkets.
“We know people switch to us make savings, but then stay with us when they realise that they’re not having to compromise on quality.”
